The city of Nagpur faces potential transportation chaos as a labor union affiliated with the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) has declared an indefinite strike against the Aapli Bus service, set to commence on Monday. The union alleges persistent neglect of worker demands regarding salary hikes, allowances, and essential facilities for drivers and conductors.
Union Demands and Operator Neglect
According to Shrikant Shivanakar, city unit chief of the NCP (SP), bus operators have repeatedly ignored multiple demands from employees, offering only empty assurances instead of concrete action. The core grievances center on the failure to implement promised salary increases and improve working conditions for the staff who keep Nagpur's public transport running.
Municipal Corporation's Stance and Partial Acceptance
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) transport department has issued a firm response, clarifying that action will be taken as per rules against any employees participating in the illegal strike. In an official communication, the department revealed that it has accepted most of the employees' demands. However, critical issues remain unresolved, including the payment of salary arrears and the implementation of revised wages for maintenance staff and controllers.
Regarding the request for house rent allowance for conductors, the NMC stated that the matter is currently under process. The corporation emphasized that since the issue is officially pending with the labor commissioner, it is inappropriate for the union to proceed with strike action at this juncture.
Impending Transport Crisis
If the strike proceeds as threatened on Monday, Nagpur residents who rely on the Aapli Bus service for their daily commute could face significant disruption. The standoff between the worker's union and the bus operators, with the NMC caught in the middle, highlights ongoing labor tensions in the city's essential public transport sector. All parties await further developments as the strike deadline approaches.
